Joseph Kurup, the minister in charge of interfaith matters, has suggested that the federal and state governments discuss the possibility of amending state laws for consistency with the cabinet’s 10-point solution.

"What the prime minister said (on state enactments) is the reality, but because some quarters are nor happy, we can discuss it ... to find a solution to harmonising both (state laws and the 10-point solution)," he told reporters today.

However, he stressed that this is his personal opinion and not that of the cabinet or federal government.

He also said that he is open about including views from the opposition into the matter, if it is for the good of the country.

He was responding to a question on whether the government is open to discussions with the opposition to reach a consensus on national issues.

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim (right) had offered this olive branch, saying that religious tensions in Malaysia are reaching levels comparable to before the May 13, 1969 race riots.

Kurup said that “diplomatic” channels are best employed for talks between jurisdictions, including in the bid to secure the release of 300 copies of the Bahasa Malaysia and Iban Bible which were seized by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Jais).

Selangor and Kelantan are the only Pakatan Rakyat-held states out of 10 that have enactments which prohibit non-Muslims from using the word 'Allah'.

“Let us learn to have dialogues in the name of peace and unity,” he stressed.